Union-Fire Preview

The Philadelphia Union made a major change this weekend by trading away 2013 top goal scorer Jack McInerney.

The Chicago Fire hope Mike Magee returns to his high-scoring form to help them avoid their first five-game winless start.

These teams are both searching for answers heading into Saturday evening's matchup in Chicago, where it is unclear if Union defender Austin Berry will face his former team for the first time.

Philadelphia (1-1-2) dealt McInerney to Montreal for Andrew Wenger in a swap of forwards Friday. The 21-year-old McInerney led the Union with 12 goals in 31 league games last season and had one in 2014.

The 23-year-old Wenger, who played for Philadelphia's affiliate in Reading, also has one goal this year. He is a native of nearby Lancaster, Pa., and was the top pick in the 2012 SuperDraft.

"Jack was an important member of our squad over the past four years, but the reality is our team has evolved and this deal puts our team in a better overall position long-term," coach John Hackworth told the Union's official website. "Andrew is a Pennsylvania native that we are familiar with from his time as a youth and Reading United player and he will be a great addition to our team as both a person and a player going forward."

Wenger is not available Saturday since he was sent off in his last match with the Impact, ironically a 1-1 draw at Philadelphia last Saturday.

Chicago (0-1-3) has matched its winless four-game start from a year ago, and the franchise has never gone through its first five matches without a victory in its 17-year history.

Magee missed the first two games this season with a hamstring injury, but he's failed to score since returning as the Fire have played a 1-1 draw March 23 against New York and last Saturday's 2-2 tie at D.C.

Fire newcomer Quincy Amarikwa scored last weekend, but he and Magee have yet to gel in the attack. Magee had 15 goals in 22 games for Chicago last season after being acquired from Los Angeles in May.

"I think it's a process," Amarikwa said. "We're going to build more chemistry the more we play with each other up top. I'm excited for us to build that chemistry because I think we can be a very dangerous pair up top."

Berry was selected ninth overall by Chicago in 2012 and earned rookie of the year honors. He played every minute for the Fire last season but was dealt to Philadelphia on Feb. 25.

The defender hurt his hamstring March 15 in a 1-0 win over New England. His replacement, Aaron Wheeler, has played well and it is not clear if Berry will return to the lineup even though he is healthy now.

The Union are fourth in the league in shots (54) but have averaged one goal per game to rank in the bottom half.

"We've just been really unlucky and unfortunate in some circumstances," Wheeler said. "But we just need to go there and continue to play the way we've been playing. We've been creating tons of opportunities and you just got to believe and keep having faith that as soon as one drops, that there's going to be a lot to follow."

Chicago defender Lovel Palmer is eligible to return from suspension.

The Union took two of three 2013 meetings, although it was McInerney who scored in each of their 1-0 victories.